1942-S Repunched Mintmark WRPM-009

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1942-S 1-cent WRPM-009 and cross-referenced as CONECA RPM #9 and Coppercoins 1942S-1MM-009, this Lincoln Wheat Cent displays an S/S repunched mintmark with the secondary S positioned southeast of the primary. Repunched mintmarks occurred during the era when mintmarks were individually hand-punched into each working die at the branch mints, and any repositioning of the punch between strikes created overlapping impressions visible on the finished coins. The S/S Southeast orientation means the initial S punch was placed slightly northwest of the final position, with the correction moving the mintmark to the southeast for the final impression. Obverse die markers are extensive and diagnostic: a series of slanted die scratches below the bust, a slanted die scratch above the O of GOD, slanted die scratches above the R of TRUST, and a short die scratch running south-southwest from the bottom of the I in LIBERTY. The reverse shows no significant die markers noted, placing full attribution weight on the obverse markers and the mintmark itself. The 1942-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint in the standard pre-war composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams at 19.05 mm diameter — the following year, 1943, would see the temporary switch to zinc-coated steel planchets for the war effort. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait, which has appeared on the cent since 1909. The multiple slanted die scratches on the obverse likely resulted from die finishing processes at the San Francisco facility.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: RPM #9, Coppercoins: 1942S-1MM-009 Comments: The
• CONECA: RPM #9, Coppercoins: 1942S-1MM-009 Comments: The; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-S 1¢ WRPM-009
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References